The increase in the pump price of petrol and other austerity measures have brought Nigerians on their knees, as activists and other stakeholders lament government’s ‘rash’ decision, reports. Senior Correspondent, ONYEWUCHI OJINNAKA.
Disenchanted with the uncertainties that hover around him due to the ugly turn of events in the country, an electric welder in Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos State grudgingly told TheNiche: “I am not happy with this government. There is no light for me to work, no water, no kerosene and now they have increased the price of petrol.”
His response stemmed from the recent ‘deregulation’ of petrol business and consequent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) last week by the federal government. With the increase, Nigerians who are already overstretched with hardship are now groaning under severe economic and social uncertainties.
Traders’ dilemma
Mrs. Folashade Ajiboye who sells foodstuff at Oshodi in Lagos screamed: “Transport fare has gone up; drivers and conductors double their fare and it has affected our profit.” She noted that because if the increase, cost of foodstuff has equally gone up “because we have to add our transport cost before we sell.”
Other traders who spoke to TheNiche at Otto market in Lagos condemned the increase, saying that with it, severe hardship awaits Nigerians. They posited that the hike brought about the increase in transportation, foodstuff and other essential commodities.
A senior citizen who manages a little kiosk said that before now he hardly made reasonable sales that would take care of the family’s feeding. And he wonders how he could feed a family of six with the high cost of rice, garri and beans.
A woman simply known as Iya Akeem who sells soft drinks complained of low patronage, as people go for solid food first before thinking of soft drink.
Risikatu Aregbesola, who sells pepper in Orile market, decried the increase. “How can I make profit from this little pepper I am selling, after paying big money for transport?”
Chidi Okeke, another trader, viewed the increase as federal government’s insensitivity on the suffering masses. He stressed that not only the traders are affected but the consumers, because transporters have increased their fares.
Activists’ reaction
Reacting to the fuel price hike, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) decried the action. Its executive director, Ibuchukwu Ezike, said: “The Civil Liberties Organisation is begging the Labour unions not to disappoint Nigerians in the current protest against the senseless and unacceptable increase in the pump price of petrol by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
“We are making this appeal in the aftermath of the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protest against the same practice by the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in which Labour disappointed all its allies and Nigerians.”
Ezike disclosed to TheNiche that CLO had met with its members and affiliates nationwide who are very keen in joining the protest to demand government’s action described as “lacking human face and a gross violation of the rights of the citizens and laws of the land”.
He added: “We make bold to reiterate CLO’s position that what government after government has done over the years has been to increase the pump prices of petroleum products and not oil subsidy that has been withdrawn since the military government.”
It is agonising, he lamented, to note that a litre of petrol sells for N15 equivalent in war-torn Libya, and that Nigeria, which is Africa’s second largest producer of oil, is selling at N145 per litre.
“CLO condemns this increase and demands a reversal to the old N86.50 pump price,” Ezike stressed.
He enjoined members of CLO nationwide to join the organised Labour in the protest to drive home the demand to reverse to the old price which was imposed on Nigerians few months ago.
Another civil society group, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), expressed shock over the increase of petrol pump price from N86.50 to N145 by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.
CCD believes the action of the federal government is an example of government’s insensitivity, carelessness and effort to inflict pains and uncommon hardship on the poor masses, particularly Nigerians with disabilities.
According to CCD’s executive director, David Anyaele, the increase in fuel pump price means that the cost of living will definitely increase far beyond what one can think of or imagine. “A blind Nigerian will pay more than ever before to move around with his personal assistants, so also is a person with physical challenges,” he said.
TheNiche gathered from CCD that the increase will affect the disability community and decrease their participation in economic activities due to high cost of living and sometimes to untimely death.
“It is disheartening to note that Nigerians living with disability will suffer more as a result of this hike in petrol price due to absence of social security measure for the vulnerable groups, Nigerians living with disability,” CCD added.
Against this backdrop, CCD called President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the pump price to N86.50 and ensure adequate measure to reduce the pains of living with disability in Nigeria.
The organisation expressed strong support for mass protest against the increase and urged Nigerians to ensure that issues of concern to Nigerians living with disability are adequately presented in all dialogues with the government.
Discordant tunes
However, the Centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiatives, in its reaction, wondered why the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should ask Nigerians to stockpile food in anticipation of the mother-of-all strikes when about 28 states currently owe salaries, and pensioners are owed up to 11 months.
Kunle Idowu, executive director of Nigerian Network of NGOs simply said: “I have nothing against the price increase. I support deregulation.
“Let everybody go and sit down. Why should Labour be fighting fuel increase always. Let them fight against casualisation.
“I am solidly behind the deregulation. Petroleum products should be deregulated.”